Signal.



L. P. ROTHFORD.

SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14. 1916.

1,215,710. Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

I, a 6 Q STRAFGHT 7 9 AHEAD 0 FIG-URL 1 FIG-URLZ [GU E- F IN\/E NTOR ATT RN Y UNITED sra'rns SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb.'13, 1917.

Application filed June 14, 1916. Serial No. 103,654.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Louis P. RoTHFoRD, a citizen of the United States, and resident of San Jose, in the county of Santa Clara and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to signals, and more particularly to that class of signals designed to be attached to an automobile or other vehicle.

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable signal that can be attached to a vehicle and that can be caused to display a warning sign visible to both pedestrians and approaching vehicles as well as following vehicles. Another object is to provide a signal of the character indicated in which but one signal can be displayed at one time.

With these and other objects in view my invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction, combination, relative arrangement and interrelation and association of parts, members and features, all as hereinafter described, shown ,in the drawing and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved signal with parts in their normal position.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same displaying signal that the vehicle will turn to the right.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same displaying signal that the vehicle will turn to the left.

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of my improved signal with parts in their normal positions.

Fig. 5 is a section on line AA of Fig. 4:.

Fig. 6 is a section on line 13-13 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 indicates the position of the signal when attached to an automobile.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 1 indicates a frame of the desired dimensions and of any suitable material, either solid or built up as manufacturing conditions may dictate. A shoulder 2 is formed around the inner perimeter of frame 1, the same acting as a guide for members 3 and 4: which are slidably mounted therein.

' Members 3 and 1 have stops formed on the back of their inner ends as indicated at 5 and 6 respectively, and have slots formed inwardly from their outer ends as shown at 7 and 8 respectively. At 9 and 10 are shown springs secured to frame 1 and to their respective members 3 and 1, and lying in said slots 7 and 8 when members 3 and 1 are in normal positions. At 11 is provided a second shoulder formed in the sides of frame 1 and adapted to receive signal member 12, which is slidably mounted therein. In the center of the front of member 12 is printed a suitable sign such as Straight ahead, shown at 13. On the appropriate end of said member and on both sides thereof, as at 11 and 14, are shown proper direction signs as, for instance Right, and on the opposite end, and also on both sides as indicated at 15 and 15*, are shown signs indicating an opposite direction as Left. On the front surface of member 12 are positioned two stops as 16 and 17 respectively. Member 12 is moved in shoulder 11 by means of handle 18 secured thereto in any suitable way as by screws shown at 19. A detent or looking member 20 is secured to the handle by a pin as 21, and is so formed and positioned that one end as 22 is held normally in close engagement with frame 1 through the action of spring 23. A back 21 is secured to frame 1 by screws 25, and is provided with slots 26 to permit the free operation of handle 18.

In operating this device, if it is desired to display the signals 14- and 14 the handle is grasped, this action pressing down the free end of detent 20 and thereby disengaging end 22 of the same from engagement with frame 1. The member 12 may now be easily moved toward the right until the sign is fully displayed beyond the end of the device. In moving member 12, however, stop 16 has been brought into engagement with stop 5 on member 3, therefore member 3 is moved along in shoulder 2 to the position-shown in Fig. 2. Releasing handle 18 now permits spring 23 to again force end 22 of locking member 20 against frame 1 thereby securely holding member 12 in its new position. In this position the sign 13 is covered by member 41: and sign 15 is covered by member 3. When member 12 is moved back into a normal position spring 9 draws member 3 back to its normal position. If member 12 is moved in the opposite direction so as to display signs 15 and 15 as shown in Fig. 3, then sign 13 is covered'by member 3 and sign 14.: is covered by member 4. When member 12 is moved back into its normal po sition spring 10 returns member 4 to its normal position and sign 13 is again displayed.

In Fig. 7 a portion of an automobile is indicated in dotted lines at 1 and a portion of a Wind shield at 1 in order to indicate the relative position of my improved signal when attached to an automobile.

It is understood that I do not Wish to confine myself to the exact form and construction here illustrated and described, as minor changes may be made Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 2-- 1. A signal comprising a frame, a sign carrying member longitudinally movable with relation to said frame slidably mounted therein, a covering member slidably and yieldingly mounted in each end of said frame in front of said sign carrying member, means for operating said sign carrying member, means attached to said sign carrying member adapted to engage one of said covering members When moved in one direction and the other cover When moved in the other direction, and releasable means for securing said sign carrying member against longitudinal movement.

2. A signal comprising a frame, a longitudinally adjustable sign carrying member slidably mounted in said frame, a covering member slidably and yieldingly mounted in each end of said frame and interposed between said frame and said sign carrying member, means for operating said sign carrying member, means attached to said sign carrying member adapted to engage one of said covering members when moved in one direction, a separate means attached to said sign carrying member adapted to en- 'gage the other covering member when moved in the opposite direction and means for securing said sign carrying member in position When adjusted.

3. A signal comprising a frame, a longitudinally adjustable sign carrying member slidably mounted in said frame and having a sign placed on each side of each end thereof and on the central portion of the front thereof, tWo covering members slidably mounted in said frame and interposed between said frame and said sign carrying member, each of said members being yield ingly connected to said frame and having a stop formed on the inner'surface of its inner end, means for operating said sign carrying member, means attached to said sign carrying member adapted to engage the stop on one of said covering members when moved in one direction, a separate means attached to said sign carrying member adapted to engage the stop on the other covering member when moved in the opposite direction, and means for securing said sign carrying member in position when adjusted.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 9th day of June,

LOUIS P. ROTHFORD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0.

iii 

